Skule(TM) Lunch & Learn: Reimagining power: The science behind the EV revolution

As the world pushes toward a sustainable future, electrifying transportation remains central to achieving net zero emissions. In 2024, more than 17 million electric vehicles were sold globally—more than one in five new cars—marking tremendous progress driven by advances in batteries, power electronics and charging technology. Yet, momentum has begun to slow, with affordability, charging infrastructure and material supply chains posing hindering widespread adoption.  

At the University of Toronto Electric Vehicle Research Centre (UTEV), researchers are tackling these challenges through innovations such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) power converters that boost efficiency, fault-tolerant power management chips for safer onboard systems, auto-aligned wireless charging, battery management systems with built-in health diagnostics and reconfigurable fast-charging architectures. Together, these technologies point to a future where electric mobility is not just feasible, but universal—transforming how we move, power and sustain our world. 

Cost: Free